NBA: Miracle Workers

Chapter 818 NBA "Storytelling" (Daily Chapter)
On Sunday, January 22, 2012, the NBA announced its Player of the Week:
LeBron James of the Eastern Conference and Kevin Durant of the Western Conference have won the award again, bringing their total to three Player of the Week trophies!
Both young players are vying for the MVP award this season, and their team performance and individual statistics are impeccable.

In ESPN's rankings, Durant is currently ahead of James, not because the Thunder's record is particularly good, but because their "story" is more compelling.
Jeff Green was sidelined for the season due to heart surgery, and after the acquisition of Carter, Durant, like James, began to frequently play the power forward position.

Due to tactical requirements, Durant often has to shoulder the responsibility of protecting the rim. Although he has been penetrated in the paint in some games, commentators have unanimously praised him so far this season!
As the third brother of the hook, Durant also seized the opportunity and, taking advantage of the media hype, immediately launched his own basketball story.

After a hard-fought victory against the Nets on the road on Saturday, Durant, speaking to New York reporters, spoke about his teammate's upcoming surgery, his eyes slightly red as he said:

“Oh, man, I don’t pay much attention to the rankings and stats. Jeff is a great guy, and his optimism has always influenced the team.”

"The doctor told us he might have to leave basketball due to heart problems, and I couldn't believe it was true."

"I want to play with his expectations in mind, and work hard along with his share."

"This is what everyone on the Thunder hopes for; we want to give the championship to Jeff and all the Oklahoma City fans who have always supported us."

This heartfelt interview resonated with New York fans. Compared to the Heat's simple "strength," the Thunder's story is undoubtedly more touching!
On Sunday night, the American Airlines Arena in Miami was packed to capacity, with many Heat fans wearing No. 6 jerseys to show their support.

Since the Thunder rose to prominence and launched their basketball storyline, fans have been fiercely divided. On Reddit, the two sides have argued several times. As one Miami fan put it:
"Kevin Durant is a hypocrite. He doesn't want to fight for his teammates; he just wants that bronze trophy."

"."

The main reason for the Heat fans' dissatisfaction is that Durant, while telling his story, also emphasized his loyalty to Oklahoma City, which is why many commentators gave him high praise.

In this respect, James has no advantage whatsoever. His original team provides a significant boost, but the chosen one is no longer associated with "loyalty" and can only continue to "pull" for high stats.
At 19:30 PM, witnessed by 2 fans, LeBron James stood in the center of the court and once again received the Player of the Week trophy, amidst a deafening roar of enthusiastic cheers.

"MVP! MVP! MVP!"

Even the seemingly stern-faced Chosen One smiled. Aside from losing one trophy to Derrick Rose, he had practically swept the Player of the Week awards this season. With this latest win, Player of the Month is practically guaranteed!

On the sidelines, Wade and Bosh were clapping. Wade was dressed in a white suit, while Bosh wore black braces and occasionally grinned and joked with his teammates.

Dwyane Wade, who sprained his ankle, will need to rest for a while. The Flash looked at his teammates who were the center of attention and felt a little envious. If possible, he would also like to pursue the MVP.

"Thank you! This is my third time winning an award, and I still want to thank my teammates and the entire coaching staff."

"You know, we just had a disappointing season, but we didn't get discouraged. Instead, we kept honing our basketball skills, and I'm proud of everyone's hard work!"

James, in his acceptance speech, has clearly become the new leader of the Heat, and Miami fans have no objection to this; everyone can see the sacrifice of the chosen one.

Compared to last year, his weight has visibly increased. In order to play the power forward position, James has completely abandoned his elegant playing style after gaining muscle, and tank-like breakthroughs have become his regular weapon.

Not only has his physique changed, but James' rim protection has also been outstanding in games, with his rebounds and assists increasing. He has even recorded four triple-doubles this season!
While James' average points per game may not match Durant's, he leads his opponent in advanced stats, which is why many commentators voted for him.

Without any basketball stories, the low-key Heat team only wants "revenge," and LeBron James is showing a strong performance in terms of statistics this season!
"Oh!!"

As the arena lights came on, cheers erupted once again. After handing the trophy to the staff, James and each of his teammates exchanged a set of gestures.

After taking off his training clothes, the chosen one walked to the scorer's table, and amidst the cheers of the fans, tossed a handful of magnesium powder into the air, then roared:
"Let's go!!"

"."

The Bucks, who were tonight's opponents, secretly scoffed after watching a "performance" before the game. The league and the "hooks" were no longer pretending, they were just praising two players and not giving other players any chance.

Although Jennings has had some highlights, his performance in the new season has been mediocre. Even with Stephen Jackson, who just joined the team, constantly sharing his championship experience, the young man still underperforms.

Tonight's game was no different. Jennings, who was trying to cause trouble, almost knocked the basket off its hinges in the first quarter. He went 0-for-7 from the field, scoring 4 points from free throws, and led his team to a complete collapse.

At 18:30, after the first quarter ended, the arena erupted in cheers. James, who played the entire first quarter, raised his head and patted his chest, letting his basketball skills speak for themselves once again!

Randy Foye and James Jones have been performing well as a backcourt duo, and new addition Shane Battier seems to be adapting to his role better, going 2-for-2 from three-point range and showing greater consistency.

Amid cheers from the fans, all three players smiled, with McGrady, who came off the bench late in the first quarter, waving his arms and interacting enthusiastically.

Although Andrew Bogut may look down on the Chosen One, he was helpless against James' onslaught tonight.

After playing only 30 minutes, Bogut picked up his sixth foul as soon as he entered the game. Amidst the jeers of the Miami fans, he muttered a curse and angrily returned to his seat.

As Chris Bosh scored consecutively, the point difference quickly reached 20 points, and the atmosphere in American Airlines Arena became increasingly heated. This "stomping the weak" game was truly exciting!
In the end, amidst the cheers of the fans, the score was 82-109. After defeating their opponents, the Heat's record improved to 14 wins and 2 losses, continuing to lead the entire league.

Coach Spoelstra couldn't contain his smile; compared to last season, the fully-equipped Heat were simply unstoppable!
Despite missing Wade, they still won by a large margin, and the Flash wasn't embarrassed at all. During an interview with local sports media, he even had a smile on his face despite his sullen expression.

"We're just playing hard! LeBron has made sacrifices for the team, and I fully support him. Look at his stats, he deserves an MVP award!"

"Scoring, rebounding, assists, mid-range jumpers, strong attacks under the basket, three-pointers, LeBron can do it all. He is the most versatile superstar I have ever seen."

"The Heat haven't achieved anything yet, and everyone is playing with a strong desire to win. We don't want to tell 'stories'; this season, we'll let the basketball speak for itself!"

"."

Last season's defeat has silenced the trio's boastful pronouncements. In contrast, the Knicks' rookie has become more arrogant, with mediocre results but the loudest voice.

Bosh, hands on hips, also praised the chosen one, and when asked about his record by a reporter, he humbly replied:

"With four games a week, we, as a young team, definitely have a greater advantage!"

"But we don't care about that. The Heat's only goal is the championship. We've been through the Finals, and nobody wants to give up that feeling."

"Basketball doesn't lie, and I believe our efforts will pay off."

"."

Amid cheers from fans and teammates, James gave his shoes to a young fan in the front row. The chosen one smiled confidently at the camera, believing he would definitely win an award this year!

-

On Tuesday, January 31st, both the Heat and the Thunder continued their winning streak.

James and Durant have once again won Player of the Week awards and officially secured Player of the Month awards, with the competition between the two young men already entering a "white-hot" phase.

Despite this, New York fans remained immersed in the "joy of the championship," and Li You had a rare outburst that night, causing Madison Square Garden to erupt in cheers once again!
After the start of the fourth quarter, the Pistons' new head coach Lawrence Frank sat on the bench with a helpless expression.

It's rare for him to leave the Nets and find a new job, and tonight he was reminded of the past few years.
With 12:41 left in the third quarter, the absurd point difference made Brandon Knight, who had returned to the court, seem to be sleepwalking. He was shaken off Irving's crossover and stumbled.

"Oh!!"

Joyful shouts echoed through the arena once again as Kyrie Irving drove into the paint, executed a mid-air layup, dodged Jason Maxiell's defense, pulled with his left arm, twisted his wrist, and sent the basketball spinning off the backboard into the basket.

The match continued, but on the MSG commentary booth, Mike Brin and Walter Frazier were discussing Li You's stats for the night.

"It was still an incredible performance. Many commentators think Stephen Curry will become the next Lee. I think they should watch tonight's game."

Walter Frazier dislikes media comparisons of Li You to Curry. For New York fans, the GOAT is unique, and the Warriors' player is a poor imitator.

"At 34, Lee seems to have defied time. Even Michael Jordan in '98 would have had a hard time putting on a game like this. Many people still underestimate Lee!"

Inadvertently comparing him to Michael Jordan, Mike Breen spoke with pride about Li You's good form, and like the fans, he believes that the "old GOAT" can still deliver on his promise.

出场31分钟，22中16，三分线外15中11，罚球5中5，李佑三节砍下48分6篮板8助攻2抢断1盖帽1失误的全能数据。

His 48 points are also the highest single-game score this season, which has drawn a particularly enthusiastic response from New York fans.

The Pistons completely collapsed in the final quarter, and their new leader, Rodney Stuckey, covered his face on the bench early on. Although the team was tanking, he didn't want to lose like this.

As the buzzing sound rang out, Austin Daye, a tall third-year student, plopped down on the floor, an incredulous look on the young man's face.

78-136, a massive 58-point margin, the entire arena erupted in cheers. This long-awaited rout brought back the feeling of the past for New York fans.
Pau Gasol, dressed in a black suit, had missed recent games due to a shoulder injury. He stood up and clapped repeatedly, smiling as he high-fived the rookie.

Despite suffering a knee injury, the bearded Davis was also dressed in a black suit, but with a thick gold chain around his neck. As Li You got up, he began to "coronate in the void" again.

"The true king!"

Seeing this, Morris was extremely envious, and a look of longing appeared on his dark face. He also wanted to be a "sycophant," but these old guys didn't give the young man a chance at all!
Danny Green, waving a towel, quickly joined Li You, excluding the other rookies, and faced the camera, happily shouting along with the bearded guy and the others:
"31 minutes, 48 ​​minutes, God is with us tonight."

After the Pistons lost, their record dropped to 4 wins and 19 losses. Fans automatically ignored the fact that they had beaten weaker teams, while the Knicks, who won the game, improved their record to 15 wins and 6 losses.

He's been busy splitting up assets lately. The redevelopment of Pier 17 received support from the City Hall, and Li You's Harbour Entertainment was officially established. People are in high spirits when good things happen, and although Li You, who had been in a slump, had a breakout performance tonight, he still expressed some regret when discussing the team's performance:

"Injuries are unavoidable, and in terms of record, the Heat and Thunder have indeed performed better."

"Our young players have also performed exceptionally well recently, and I'm delighted to see their progress. They will get even more opportunities in the upcoming matches."

Last week, Li You played in three out of four away games, including two back-to-back games, and his playing time was also limited.

Compared to the past, the data has indeed declined somewhat. When MSG reporters mentioned the scoring champion, Li You simply offered his congratulations:
"I've seen Kevin Durant's outstanding performance, and with the addition of Kenyon Martin and his return to the small forward position, I believe he will explode even further!"

"If we could meet these young players in the Finals, I believe that's what many fans would be hoping for."

The New York fans at the stadium were still chanting Li You's name loudly; the second-place finish in the Eastern Conference did not dampen the enthusiasm of the fans.

After the group entered the player tunnel, Ray Allen, thinking of the Thunder's constant physical play, sighed:
"I thought Martin would choose the Clippers. It seems everyone has high hopes for this young team."

Kenyon Martin, who had just returned from the CBA, received offers from several teams, but the beastly power forward ultimately chose Oklahoma City, avoiding the Eastern Conference.

Marion, however, could understand this choice. The veteran could feel the "star-making campaign," and when talking about the younger players, he couldn't help but make a sour remark:
"No one used to praise all-around players; those boring sports commentators seem to have forgotten that."

When he first entered the league, Marion claimed that he could play positions 1 through 5, but most commentators did not buy into this assessment, and some even ridiculed him.

The situation is completely different now, with both James and Durant transforming into "all-around warriors" and winning widespread praise.

Hearing his teammates complain, Ray Allen raised an eyebrow helplessly. Times have changed. The "small ball storm" has begun to sweep the league, and the number of three-point shots is increasing year by year.

Unlike his two teammates, Baron Davis was full of confidence regardless of the opponent's performance. The bearded man, using the two as an excuse, started bragging to the rookie again:

"MVP? As long as Lee is still in the league, this trophy shouldn't go to anyone else!"

"If LeBron James and Kevin Durant win trophies, they'll be cursed; the God of Basketball will punish them."

Kyrie Irving, standing next to Li You, showed no reaction, but Danny Green and Morris, following behind Harden, couldn't help but exchange a glance, both seemingly having the same feeling:
"The old man does have some qualities worth learning from!"

-

On Wednesday, February 1st, the NBA announced its Players of the Month for the first month of the new season, and unsurprisingly, LeBron James and Kevin Durant won the awards.

That night, the Thunder faced the Mavericks on the road. Against last season's champions, the young players exploded once again. Westbrook played 45 minutes and scored 33 points to help the team reverse the game!

Carter also had a good performance, shooting 5-for-10 from the field, 1-for-3 from three-point range, and 2-for-2 from the free-throw line, contributing an efficient 13 points.

Kevin Durant, who was named Player of the Month, shot 7-for-19 against Ron Artest's relentless defense, a slight decline in performance compared to his previous game.

New addition Kenyon Martin to the starting lineup improved the Thunder's rebounding, and everyone was all smiles after the win. This made the championship forward very unhappy, and he directly expressed his dissatisfaction in an interview:

"Durant is a good young man, but he hasn't reached the MVP level yet, and he's far from being as good as Lee."

Fisher, who actively shared his championship experience with the Thunder, spoke highly of Westbrook and Harden, even making promises to reporters:
"This young team is better than people think. Besides Kevin, Russell and James are also underrated. They both have MVP potential."

"The new rules are favorable to smaller markets, and my championship experience will help everyone. Stay healthy, and we can make it to the finals."

"."

Compared to Artest, Nowitzki, who won the championship, seemed rather laid-back. After losing to the Heat in the Christmas Day game, the German didn't react much.

Upon hearing the question about MVP, Nowitzki smiled again and joked to himself:
“I think the MVP award is a curse, you know. After winning that trophy, I went through the worst few years.”

"Durant is excellent, I support him, and in this era, loyalty deserves more praise."

"But if they want to get to the finals, they have to beat us first. In fact, I think the team is getting better and better, and we will make a difference in the playoffs!"

After the loss, the Mavericks' record fell to 14 wins and 9 losses, which is not ideal.

-

On Monday, February 6th, the Heat visited Madison Square Garden. That night, Wade and Bosh were back on the injury list, while Gasol continued to be sidelined for the Knicks.

James, leading the team alone, had a tough time. The Heat were blown out in three quarters, with James Jones, Shane Battier, and Mike Miller all going cold.

The three players combined for 1 of 14 shots, including 0 of 8 from three-point range, causing Coach Spoelstra to frown deeply.

The arena was filled with joyful shouts. The Heat's opening three-pronged attack failed to work, and their early double-teaming of Li You came at a great cost.

The two teams traded baskets on the boards, with Haslem fighting hard to find his position and Joel Anthony also trying his best to complete his task.

Even in garbage time, the Heat showed great fighting spirit and, led by James and McGrady, narrowed the gap and even brought back the Knicks' key players.

At the end of the game, the score was 97-111. The chosen one looked serious, kept high-fiving his teammates, and loudly encouraged them.

At the post-game press conference, James didn't "tell stories" like Durant did, but instead answered with a serious expression:
"Basketball isn't a movie. I'm not interested in sharing basketball stories. This is what Lee taught me."

"The game is about execution and attention to detail. We performed better in the fourth quarter."

“My teammates weren’t able to step up tonight, but I believe everyone will get back into form soon.”

LeBron James scored 30 points efficiently, shooting 10-for-17 from the field, 2-for-5 from three-point range, and 8-for-10 from the free-throw line. When discussing his stats, the "Chosen One" began to share his insights:

"Three-pointers changed the game, and a 20-point deficit doesn't mean there's no chance."

"You know, never giving up on any possession and taking the game seriously is the Heat's team culture."

Completely past his prime, McGrady can't stand seeing his opponents smile. The thought of the bearded man's smug expression fills him with resentment, and when the topic of MVP comes up, he starts talking big again:

"This award doesn't mean much in many ways. I've contained Nowitzki before, and I've also put up great numbers against Duncan and Garnett."

"LeBron deserves the trophy. After losing last year's game, we have no interest in 'talking big' now."

"If Durant ultimately wins, all we have to do is send the MVP home. You know, the Heat have the ability to do that; we're the best in the league."

-

On Thursday, February 16th, despite a packed schedule, the Thunder maintained excellent form and narrowly defeated the Rockets again that night.

Yao Ming, who was resting back-to-back, was also impressed by the energetic opponents. However, when interviewed by Sina Sports, the questions from the opponents were more about the CBA.

The All-Star season is about to begin across the ocean. Kobe, who led the Guangdong team to an undefeated regular season, crushed the vote leader. The Mamba has gone crazy and his popularity has exploded.

When a Sina reporter asked about Kobe's MVP award, Yao Ming's expression was somewhat strange. He understood what the reporter meant: Mamba suffered because he didn't have a "story".
"Kobe was outstanding, but during the same period, his competitors were Li You, Duncan, Garnett, and Nowitzki."

Yao Ming lowered his head and answered tactfully, seemingly feeling that it was somewhat undignified to say it that way, and then added:
"If it were a competition with today's young players, I believe Kobe could win the trophy."

"That's just how the NBA is sometimes. Kobe lacked some luck. The fact that he could compete with the greatest player of all time already speaks volumes about his ability."

"."

On Sunday the 19th, at 19 p.m., the Guangzhou International Sports Arena was packed to capacity, and when Kobe Bryant appeared, the cheers and shouts were deafening.

"MVP!"

As the host, Kobe once again enjoyed special treatment, patting his chest repeatedly with a bright smile on his dark face.

JR Smith, a reserve player for the Southern All-Star team, was annoyed by this scene. He is the scoring champion, but the fans rarely give him such cheers.

On the other side, Marbury, the All-Star starting point guard for the North, was also envious. With an undefeated record, the Mamba had crushed these past stars since coming to the CBA.

The thought of Kobe's comeback completely wiped the smile off Marbury's face. The shouts of "MVP" made him curse under his breath. He couldn't bear to see the Mamba succeed.

Yang Ming of the Liaoning team noticed that Marbury was in a bad mood and looked at him curiously. Marbury only felt that his backcourt partner was mocking him, and for a moment he pursed his lips and comforted himself:
"You'll still be the same clown when you go back to America!"

"."

(End of this chapter)